Craig,
I don't think you have anything to lose by applying for the ATSA position.....If you have ability and conviction then at least you are on the inside and can apply for other positions or training while already gaining experience.
However, do not be under any illusion that NATS are advertising the positions this way for anything other than a specific reason.
These opportunities seem not to be full-working-life staff positions and may not accrue the same benefits and pension rights that you might expect. Read the small print in the contract carefully if you are fortunate enough to get to that stage.
The HR recruitment posting says they are "short-term contract" positions. While this does not mean they are necessarily short-lived, only that the T&C of the positions are on a shorter-term rolling contract, there must be a reason for this approach.
It would seem that this technique may allow NATS to reduce their staff pension or redundancy liability over time while keeping their cards close to their chest over any planned ATSA reductions in the coming years.
NATS Operational Expenditure Plans 2004/5-2010/11
